Switch to a Department of Public Works under consideration in Westport

Sunday

Aug 21, 2016 at 12:01 AM

Jeffrey D. Wagner Correspondent

WESTPORT — A new department of public works could become a reality in town by the fall Town Meeting.

The topic has been discussed by the Finance Committee and two selectmen confirmed that a merger could take place sooner rather than later. Such a move could combine the cemetery and highway departments, with the transfer station or look to combine other similar entities. Selectmen Vice Chairman Craig Dutra said the list has varied but those three entities have so far achieved the most consistent consensus.

Selectmen Chairman R. Michael Sullivan said he is unsure when such a merger could take place; but if plans are embraced, officials could pull it off by the fall Town Meeting later this year.

“We owe it to the effected departments to review in detail all the considerations for the this move and we hope to do that in the very near future,” Sullivan said. “If we are successful in pulling together a plan that looks viable, we will shoot for the fall Town Meeting.”

Finance Committee members met last week and discussed the merits.

The Finance Committee mentioned that, according to one model discussed, there will be a department of public works director.

Committee member Karen Maxwell-Powell mentioned that the committee would have to look at costs and what efficiencies that will be part of the merge.

Committee member Charles “Buzzy” Baron said he would like a few Finance Committee members to be part of conversations and work with selectmen. Fellow committee members favored that option and mentioned that they do not want any surprises a few weeks before Town Meeting.

Committee members noted, though, that all talks on the matter are preliminary and they will talk about the potential merger at its next committee meeting and have mulled over inviting Town Administrator Timothy King to an upcoming meeting.

Committee member Bob McCarthy, who noted town projects and financial obligations, said the committee has a financial obligation and should not favor any plan that would cost more money.

Shortly after Town Administrator Timothy King was appointed in 2014, he looked into some potential mergers.